Peugeot Adventure Museum, Sochaux, France
Until January 2026
Tribute to the “Charlatans”
Every year, the Peugeot Adventure Museum delights its visitors with numerous events, and the end of 2025 is particularly rich. First, visitors will discover a new mural inaugurated on October 14 that pays tribute to the “Charlatans”, a major part of Peugeot’s racing history. In 1912, this team designed the Peugeot L76, the first racing car to combine a double overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder, and a hemispherical cylinder head, often considered the first modern racing car. With the L76 and its derivatives, Peugeot won numerous races, including three Indianapolis 500s! This adventure was mentioned a few months ago in the article devoted to the “Peugeot and racing” exhibition, and you can find more information on the Adventure website. Until now, only a mosaic commemorated this great story, and the large fresco is a tribute more in keeping with the feat!
Many anniversaries
After the exhibition on Peugeot in competition, the Museum will celebrate a few of the brand’s models that had reached a milestone in 2025. For the occasion, a few models will be taken out of storage and displayed in the museum, in order of age: the 402 (90 years old), 403 (70 years old), 204 (60 years old), 604 (50 years old), 309 (40 years old), and 406 (30 years old). Several of these cars represented major milestones for the Peugeot brand. The 402 applied new aerodynamic concepts, with a fluid line and headlights integrated behind the grille, which contrasted sharply with the 401. Peugeot offered a complete range, from sedans to limousines, all through convertibles, and roadsters. The 403 was the first Peugeot to exceed one million units produced, with several body types including the rare convertible, of which fewer than 2,000 were sold. The most famous was undoubtedly the one driven by TV series Inspector Columbo.
The 204 was Peugeot’s first front-wheel drive model and enabled the manufacturer to return to the compact car market with a complete range: sedan, station wagon, coupe, and convertible. The 604, introduced in 1975, extended the range upwards, 40 years after the 601 was discontinued in 1935. It was notably equipped with the PRV V6 engine, a type of engine that had disappeared from the Peugeot range since the 601. More than 150,000 units were built. Peugeot also offered a very rare extended limousine version, of which only 124 were produced, including one equipped as a veritable office for Philippe Bouvard, a famous radio and television personality of the 1980s. This exhibition, which will undoubtedly bring back memories for all visitors, will continue beyond the holiday season during the month of January.
Holidays period animations
For younger visitors, the museum team is offering a new treasure hunt during the school holidays (from Saturday, December 20 to Sunday, January 4). In the enchanting setting of the Christmas decorations, children will be able to discover Peugeot’s mills, cars, and other objects in a fun way, using clues scattered throughout the museum. Santa Claus will also be at the Peugeot Adventure Museum on December 17 to stock up on gifts at the museum shop, where he (and you) will find household items, books, miniatures, toys, clothing, and posters. He will also be available for photos. Exceptionally during this period, the museum will be open every day except December 25 and January 1.
Finally, note that the museum’s brasserie is open for lunch from Friday to Sunday, allowing you to enjoy your meal with a view of the cars.
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